Astar F1

Engineering approach to breeding: inside the Astar F1

The Astar F1 hybrid from the Polish breeding center KHNO «Polan» is a classic representative of the «Detroit» type, tailored to the standards of modern industrial processing. When developing this hybrid, the focus was on structural homogeneity and the physical parameters of the root, which are critical for mechanized harvesting and subsequent industrial application.

Morphology and technological indicators

• Pulp structure: The main feature of Astar F1 is the complete absence of visible radial rings. In industrial processing, this ensures a uniform color for purees, juices, and slices. The lack of vascular bundles reduces the risk of spoilage and ensures even color distribution in the final product.
• Root geometry: A perfectly round shape with smooth skin minimizes waste during automated peeling. The medium size of the roots is ideal for packaging and segmentation.
• Biochemistry and storage: A vegetation period of 90–100 days allows the plant to accumulate optimal levels of dry matter and sugars. The dense tissue structure directly impacts storage life: the root is resistant to wilting and pathogens during long-term storage in controlled environments.

Practical value for agribusiness

Choosing Astar F1 is justified for farms focused on retail distribution and processing facilities. The Polish breeding program of KHNO «Polan» is aligned with EU standards, where stable calibration and intense pink-red color are key requirements. The absence of internal ring patterns makes this hybrid technologically «convenient» for deep processing lines, where eliminating color defects in the final product is a priority.